JP2013541461A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing a locking device and locking device for a longitudinal adjustment device of a vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

  In the method for manufacturing a locking device for a longitudinal adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat, the following method steps are performed. That is, a locking device is manufactured, which can be locked in place and independently from each other to at least one guide part (22) and the notched strip (42). A plurality of cylindrical locking pins (20) to be obtained, a guide part (22) being assigned to the seat rail (26) and having a guide hole for the locking pin (20). A notched strip (42) is assigned to the floor rail (34). The lock pin (20) has an upper working end (38) and a lower engagement site (40) that interacts with the notched strip (42). The lock pin is lubricated during or after the manufacturing step. During the lubrication step and / or after the lubrication step, each individual locking pin is rotationally driven by a rotating device (44).

Description

  The present invention is a method for manufacturing a locking device for a longitudinal adjustment device of a vehicle seat, comprising the following steps: a) locked independently of one another on at least one guide part and a notched strip. Manufacturing a locking device comprising a plurality of cylindrical locking pins that can be obtained and unlocked together therefrom, wherein a guide part is assigned to the seat rail and has a guide hole for the locking pin; A step in which a notched strip is assigned to the floor rail and the locking pin has an upper working end and a lower engagement site cooperating with the notched strip; b) the locking pin during or after the manufacturing step And a method of applying grease to the device, as well as an apparatus for performing the method and the method Law on locking device that can be applied.

  The locking device is manufactured according to this method, as is known, for example, from EP 1316465. Other locking devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,957, German Utility Model No. 29708666, German Utility Model No. 29910720, German Patent Application No. 4242895, and No. 2,355,399. Related rail pairs consisting of seat rails and floor rails are each known from some of these specifications. See further U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,495 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,248 for such rail pairs. The rails can move relative to each other in a known manner, and these rails abut each other by suitable guiding means. This longitudinal movement is normally blocked by the locking device and is released when the locking device is activated.

  According to the prior art, such a locking device is manufactured with a rail as follows. First, individual parts are manufactured. Thereafter, a part of the locking device is attached to the seat rail. In order to achieve this purpose, a guide part is connected to the seat rail. In this case, the lock pin is positioned on the guide part. The seat rail often has an opening that is aligned with the guide hole in the guide component. Individual lock pins are located in these openings and guide holes. After assembly of the guide parts, the lock pins are captured so that the lock pins can no longer be removed individually. Each lock pin has its own spring that biases the lock pin into the latched position. Until this state of assembly, the floor rail is not connected to the seat rail. The lock pin is still accessible. When the floor rail is connected to the seat rail, access to the lock pin is very limited. Accordingly, grease is applied to the lock pins and / or the openings and guide holes prior to installation of the floor rail and, if possible, before installing the lock pins in the guide holes and openings.

  If grease is applied to the lock pin prior to insertion into the associated opening and associated guide hole, this grease may not always be delivered to the site where it is actually needed. If the grease application process is performed with the lock pin already inserted, access to all surfaces of the lock pin is limited and not always possible. Grease application is necessary. This is because the lock pin that is difficult to move may cause an erroneous operation by the user, and noise may be generated, and because of the two lock devices of the longitudinal adjustment device for the vehicle seat. This is because the actuating force may differ from those of other vehicle seat longitudinal direction adjusting devices. An actuation force that is within a predetermined limit and a noise level that is as low as possible and within a predetermined threshold are desirable.

  The invention will now be described. The present invention improves the process of applying grease to a plurality of lock pins and their guide parts to make the application of grease more uniform, thereby improving the operating characteristics of the lock pin, particularly with respect to operating force and noise, The aim is to minimize.

  This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. With respect to the device, this object is achieved by a device according to the features of claim 7. Finally, this object is achieved by a locking device having the features of claim 10.

  According to the present invention, the lock pin is rotated during and / or after grease application. The lock pin is rotated about the longitudinal axis. Since the lock pin is cylindrical, the lock pin can be rotated in the guide hole and optionally in the opening. If the lock pin is rotated during grease application, this is beneficial in that grease can be applied to the lock pin over the entire circumference. If the lock pin is rotated after grease application, this is beneficial in that the grease can spread well in the guide part, i.e. in the guide hole and in the opening if applicable.

  The rotational movement is preferably introduced at the upper working end of the lock pin. In some locking devices, for example the locking device according to DE 4242895, the upper working end of the locking pin protrudes upwardly beyond the seat rail, and this upper working end can be frictionally or It can be gripped in a positive manner. The rotational movement is preferably introduced positively. In a preferred embodiment, the upper working end has a non-circular portion for this purpose. The non-circular part may be a non-circular cut-out part in the form of, for example, a hexagonal socket as known for screws. However, the non-circular portion may be an outer non-circular portion as is known in hex screw heads. The associated rotary drive unit comprises a rotary tool, which is adapted in a complementary manner with respect to its shape to the shape of the non-circular part. In the case of a hexagon socket, the rotary tool is, for example, a pin having a hexagonal cross section.

  In the case of a locking device and a locking pin that are mounted such that the axial path to the working end is obstructed, the working end can be formed as a gear. In that case, the rotary tool of the rotary drive unit is also a gear configured correspondingly, and rotation is introduced from the side via this gear.

  The invention is advantageous in that, on the one hand, the actuation force of the locking device can be considerably reduced and on the other hand the spreading of the actuation force between the individual locking devices can be kept very small. The noise level has a positive effect. In particular, the noise generated immediately after assembly, especially in new vehicles, is considerably reduced.

  It is beneficial if the lock pins of the locking device are all in the same position during grease application. For example, the lock pin may be in a fully lifted position. When the grease application process takes place, it is preferred that no unlocking lid has yet been installed that can unlock all of the locking pins of the locking device together. An auxiliary tool can be used that pulls or pushes all the lock pins into the release position, i.e. has the same function as the unlocked lid that is activated. However, it is also possible to apply grease to these pins in this state with all the pins remaining in their lowest position. All pins can be in the lowest position as long as the notched strip is not yet installed. The grease application process is preferably performed prior to assembly of the floor rail, and this condition can be reached without accessories because the floor rail is connected to the notched strip.

  In a preferred development, it is proposed to move the locking pin further in the axial direction during and / or after the grease application process. For this purpose, an elevating drive unit is also provided in addition to the rotary drive unit. This lifting drive unit can be combined with a rotary drive unit and can act on the working end.

  The rotary drive unit and / or the lift drive unit can also act on the engagement site. The lifting drive unit can take over the role of the accessory. The locking pins are preferably greased over their entire length, at least over a partial length region accessible. This also includes a tapered lower end that contacts the notched strip. Preferably, the notched strip itself is not greased.

  The grease used is a material with the best possible adhesive properties. Adhesive grease is used. It is envisaged that it adheres as well as possible to the material of the lock pin and to the guide holes and openings. Adhesion should be within the range given today in so-called pressure sensitive adhesives used in paper. Pressure sensitive adhesives and contact adhesives are used as additives to the grease. Polyisobutylene, polyvinyl ether, polyacryl ether, and natural or synthetic rubber can be envisaged. In this case, the lubrication characteristics should be sufficient, at least the lubrication characteristics should be as good as possible and preferably better than the lubricants used so far according to the prior art.

  The locking pin is rotated at least completely once, preferably slightly more. The lifting device preferably has a stroke corresponding to the subsequent actuation stroke of the lock pin. A common motor such as a reduction gear unit or an electric motor having a drill can be used as the rotation drive unit, but a hydraulic rotation drive unit can also be used. In the case of a lock pin without a non-circular part, a rotary tool of the rotary drive unit reaching over the working end of the lock pin or over the engagement site is recommended. For example, the rotary tool has a bowl or cone shape. The rotary tool can be formed from an elastic material, such as hard rubber.

  The grease is preferably sprayed onto the lock pins and other components. For this purpose, an injection device is provided which is directed only to the part where application is to be performed, if possible. Other means of allowing application over the surface can also be used in place of the spray device. Thus, the lubricant can also be applied with a sponge, rag, brush or the like. The goal is a uniform, thin, entire surface application.

  The fact that the locking device according to claim 10 is introduced via a rotary tool that has a non-circular portion and the rotation of the locking pin is applied axially or laterally to transmit the rotational movement positively This is particularly suitable for the method according to the invention. Alternatively, a non-circular portion can be provided in the region of the lock pin other than the operating end. For example, a non-circular portion can be formed at the lowermost end of the engaging portion.

  Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the other claims and from the following description of embodiments of the invention. The embodiments are not to be understood as limiting and are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lock unit with three lock pins, seat rails, and guide components, without a lock release lid, without a notched strip, and without a floor rail. It is the figure of the lock unit in 2nd Embodiment although it is the same as that of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lock unit with three lock pins, a seat rail, a floor rail including a notched strip, a guide piece, and a lock release lid. It is a perspective view of the lock unit containing the rail which concerns on FIG. 3 which looked at the seat rail from the upper side. It is the perspective view of the lock pin which looked at the operating end from diagonally upward.

  FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment, and in the following, with reference to this embodiment, the method will be described, the device will be described, and the locking device itself will also be described. Thereafter, other embodiments, ie, the second embodiment according to FIG. 2, the third embodiment according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and the fourth embodiment according to FIG. 5 will be described. The form will be described in detail only within a range different from that of the first embodiment.

  The applicant has the right to combine any features and subfeatures from the specification text, from individual sentences of the partial text in the specification text, and from the claims in any way. And has the right to combine sub-features and partial features together in any way.

  FIG. 1 shows an incomplete locking device, which is a guide component 22 with three lock pins 20 and guide holes, one guide hole being provided for each lock pin 20. It has a part 22 and a plurality of springs 24 which are likewise provided with a separate spring 24 for each locking pin 20. Such a locking device is connected to the seat rail 26. Specifically, the guide component 22 is connected to the side flange of the seat rail 26 apparent from FIG. 1 by, for example, butt welding. An upper flange 28 of the seat rail 26 is also shown, and the upper flange extends horizontally in the assembled state. Three openings 30 are located in the upper flange, and again, one opening 30 is provided for each lock pin 20. The lock pin has a collar 32, with which the lock pin rests on the surface of the guide part 22 in the cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. The lock pin is biased to this position by the spring 24. Each spring 24 is supported between the upper flange 28 and the collar 32 of the lock pin 20. The spring is a spiral spring designed for pressure.

  A pair of rails is preferably used, in which case the seat rail 26 and the floor rail 34 (see FIG. 3) define an elongated channel 36. See, for example, the aforementioned US Pat. No. 5,941,495 and US Pat. No. 6,059,248. The guide piece 22 and the spring 24 are located in this channel 36 and the main part of the locking pin 20 is located in the channel 36. In the selectively used rail pair, each rail 26, 34 has substantially only one long side flange and the other side flange is considerably shorter than the long side flange. See FIG. 4 for this. Guide means, for example, balls, disposed between the rails 26 and 34 face each other on the diagonal of the rail pair. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lock pin 20 can be accessed from the side. Only the floor rail 34 covers this access.

  The lock pin 20 is formed in accordance with the teachings of DE 1020010042025. All of the information and disclosure contained in that patent application also applies to this application. The lock pin 20 has a cylindrical shape. Thus, the lock pin can be rotated in the guide hole without different results. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock pin 20 has an upper working end portion 38 that protrudes from the upper end of the seat rail 26, and a lower engagement portion 40. At the lower engagement portion, the lock pin 20 tapers toward the lower end. The engagement site contacts the notched strip 42, which is evident from FIG. The lock pin 20 rotates about its own axis.

  FIG. 1 shows a rotating device 44, which is located above the central locking pin 20. A similar rotating device is also provided for the other lock pins 20. The rotating device 44 includes a rotating tool 46 or a rotating bit that is driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow extending in the circumferential direction. The rotary tool has a hexagonal shape. A non-circular portion 48 is formed at the working end 38. The non-circular portion is configured like a hexagon socket screw. With respect to its shape, the non-circular portion 48 fits with the rotary tool 46. If the rotary tool 46 is inserted into the non-circular portion 48, the lock pin 20 can be driven. The non-circular portion can have any shape, such as a slot, a cross-shaped recess, a hexagon socket, an outer hexagon, a polygon socket, an outer polygon, and the like.

  Two injectors 50 are assigned to the left lock pin 20. From these injectors, grease is applied onto the opposing surface of the lock pin 20. The rotating device 44 is activated during this application and the lock pin 20 is rotated at least once. Therefore, a grease layer or a lubricant layer is supplied to the entire opposing surface of the lock pin 20. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the engagement site 40 is also treated in this manner. The injection device 50 is arranged to reach only the surface of the lock pin 20 to be treated in any case, and optionally their injection action is limited by the screen. At least one injection device 50 is preferably provided for each lock pin 20.

  In one refinement, the following steps are performed after the aforementioned process steps of grease application. That is, with the appropriate lift drive 52, the lock pin 20 is lifted from the position shown in FIG. 1 to such an extent that a partial area of the lock pin 20 already covered by the guide piece 22 is visible. Thereafter, the injection process is performed again by rotating the lock pin 20 at least once. At this time, the spring 24 is also displaced, and the portion already covered by the spring 24 is wetted.

  The assembly can continue after at least one step of grease application has been performed. Here, as is apparent from FIG. 3, the lock release lid 54 is attached. Also, a floor rail 34 is attached, thereby closing the channel 36 from the side at this time. The floor rail 34 includes a notched strip 42 formed in accordance with the prior art.

  In the second embodiment according to FIG. 2, the rotating device 44 acts on the locking pin 20 rather than positively, rather frictionally. As before, the rotational motion is introduced coaxially. At this time, the cup-shaped part or the V-shaped part that comes into contact with the engagement part 40 is used as the rotary tool 46. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the rotating device 44 is configured as the lifting drive unit 52 simultaneously. See the double arrow for this. In the state shown by FIG. 2, the lifting device has already lifted the left lock pin 20 slightly relative to the spring 24, which can be seen from the distance of the collar 32 from the guide part 22. As before, two injectors 50 are used to inject grease onto the exposed surface. Again, at least one complete rotation is performed. Another rotation can be performed at other axial positions of the lift drive unit 52. The elevating drive unit and the rotation device 44 can also be operated simultaneously, so that the grease is applied in a slightly spiral form.

  FIG. 3 shows the completed locking device, but the spring 24 is not shown for simplicity. Since it is common in lock units, a latched state is shown. The two outer locking pins 20 each abut the notches of the notched strip 42, while the central locking pin 20 rests on the notches and is in a passive state. The unlocking lid 54 can be moved upward to the extent that the central locking pin 20 is also lifted at least slightly to free it from the notched strip 42.

  In FIG. 4, the lock release lid 54 is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lock pin 20 used. These lock pins have a groove-like portion 58, which is positioned by the lock pin 20 that engages with the notched strip 42 and the guide hole portion, and extends downward beyond the lower end of the guide hole. It is preferable to protrude. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the non-circular part 48 is no longer hexagonal, but rather has a star shape. Any shape of the non-circular portion 48 can be envisaged. The non-circular portion 48 can be formed not only as an inner shape but also as an outer shape, for example, as an outer hexagon. Further, the other region of the lock pin 20 can be formed as a non-circular portion 48. For example, the collar 32 can have an outer gear such as a normal gear. A rotary drive unit can act on this outer gear via a rotating device 44, which has a suitable gear that meshes with the collar 32. In this case, the two geared collars 32 can be driven by a single gear of the rotary drive unit.

  Further, the lifting drive unit 52 is configured as a mechanical tool, for example, in the form of a fork whose projection reaches between the guide part 22 and the collar 32 and acts in the same manner as the unlock cover 54 that is not yet attached. You can also

Claims (10)

A method for manufacturing a locking device for a longitudinal adjustment device for a vehicle seat,
Producing a locking device comprising a plurality of cylindrical locking pins (20) that can be locked independently of each other and unlocked together with at least one guide part (22) and a notched strip (42) The guide part (22) is assigned to a seat rail (26) and has a guide hole for the locking pin (20), the notched strip (42) being a floor rail (34) The locking pin (20) has a lower engagement portion (40) cooperating with the upper working end (38) and the notched strip (42);
Applying grease to the lock pin (20) during or after the manufacturing step, wherein the individual lock pins (20) apply and apply the grease during the grease application step. A method characterized in that it is rotationally driven by a rotating device (44) after the step.   In any case, the rotary drive unit performs at least one complete rotation of the lock pin (20), preferably at least two, in particular at least three complete rotations of the lock pin (20). The method according to claim 1, wherein:   The rotary drive unit includes a rotary tool (46), and a non-circular portion (48) cooperating with the rotary tool (46) is provided at the operating end (38) of the lock pin (20). A method according to claim 1 or claim 2.   4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of applying grease is performed before assembly of the floor rail (34).   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the step of applying grease is performed by spraying grease using a spray device (50).   The axial movement of the lock pin (20) by the elevating drive unit (52) is performed in addition to the rotation of the lock pin (20) by the rotary drive unit. The method as described in any one of.   A device for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rotating device contacts the lock pin (20) and sets the lock pin (20) to a rotating state. (44), preferably the rotating device (44) contacts the end of the locking pin (20), in particular the working end (38).   The rotating device (44) includes a rotating tool (46), at least one lock pin (20) includes a non-circular portion (48), and the rotating tool (46) and the non-circular portion (48) are positive. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that it cooperates in a formula.   9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises a lifting device for moving at least one locking pin (20) in the axial direction. A locking device for a longitudinal adjustment device of a vehicle seat, a plurality of cylindrical locks that can be locked to the guide part (22) and the notched strip (42) independently of each other and unlocked together A pin (20), the guide part (22) being assigned to a seat rail (26) and having a plurality of guide holes for the locking pin (20), the notched strip (42) being a floor A locking device assigned to a rail (34) and having a lower engagement part (40) in which the locking pin cooperates with an upper working end (38) and the notched strip (42);
Each lock pin (20) comprises a non-circular part (48) cooperating with a rotary tool (46) of the rotary drive unit, said non-circular part (48) being preferably at the end of the lock pin (20) In particular, the locking device is provided at the operating end (38) of the locking pin (20).

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